Breakdown of So isoliert der Dienst auch ist, der Wärter arbeitet gern.
sein
to be
auch
also, too
gern
gladly, like to
arbeiten
to work
so
so, such (intensifier)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
der Wärter
the keeper
isoliert
isolated
der Dienst
the duty (service, shift)
Questions & Answers about So isoliert der Dienst auch ist, der Wärter arbeitet gern.
How does the "So ... auch" structure work here to mean "As ... as"?
The combination of so + an adjective or adverb + auch creates a concessive (contrast) clause. It translates to "however [adjective]" or "as [adjective] as". Even though it literally looks like "so isolated the duty also is", the word auch works with so to mean "No matter how isolated the duty is".
Why doesn't the main clause invert the verb and subject? Shouldn't it be "...arbeitet der Wärter gern"?
You have a great eye for the V2 (verb second) rule! Normally, a subordinate clause at the start of a sentence forces the main clause to begin with its verb. However, concessive clauses like So ... auch ... or Egal, wie ... are often treated as grammatically independent "unintegrated" clauses. Because of this, the main clause can just use standard subject-verb order (der Wärter arbeitet). Saying ..., arbeitet der Wärter gern is also completely correct.
Why use arbeitet gern instead of a more literal translation like mag arbeiten?
In German, the most natural way to say you "like doing" an action is to use the verb for that action plus the adverb gern (gladly). While mag arbeiten is understood, using the verb + gern is the standard, idiomatic way to express this.
Is isoliert a verb or an adjective here?
It is acting as an adjective here, describing der Dienst. It comes from the past participle of the verb isolieren (to isolate). Just like in English, German past participles are frequently used as regular adjectives.
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